Mailing-machine.



s, @MAXWELL MAILING MAH'N@ APPLIOATIDN Hmm 0011.17, 1902. Rliiwnb JUNE z5, 1.908,

.Patentd May i6, 19H.

14 BIlEE'l'S-SHEET l.

f2 @6MM/ S f MAXWELL. MAILING MACHINE. APPLTIN FILED 00T.17, 1902. RENEWED JUNE 25,v 19.06. 992;,225; Patented May 16, 1911.

14 SHEETS-BEEET 2.

S. A. MAXWELL. MAILING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED ooi-.17, 1902. RBNEWBD JUNE z5, 190s.

Patented May 19H.

s. A. MAXWELL. I

MAILING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED OCT.

17, 1902. RENEWED JUNE 25, 1908.

PLBIIS: My 15, 19H.

14 sHEzzTssH'mT 4.

'3. A. MAXWELL MAILING Mmmm.

APPLIUAIION FILE UTJ'I',l 1902e ENWBD JUNE 25, 1908. ggf; 025. Y Patented May 16, 19H.

14 SHEETS-MEET 5,

WOR/VE t S. A. MAXWELL.

MAILING MAGH-INE. APPLICATION FILED wmv, 1902. Mmmm) JUNE 25, 1908.

Patented May 16, 19H. Y

14 SHEETS-SHEET 6` 4 W/T/VESSES D /lV VEA/70H v y y WHW/A42@ S. MAXWELL.

MAILING MACHINE.

lAyPLmATIoE FILED o'ognn, 1902. Mmmm) `mm; 25, 1908.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

Patented May 15, 319i TTOHN'E Y s. A.--MAXWBLL.

MAILING MACHINE.

APYLIOATION FILLED 0GT.17, 1902. RBNEWED JUNE 25,1908. A y @92,22519' Patented May 16,1911.

` 14 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

A TfOH/VEY S. A. MAXWELL.

MAIL-ING MAHNE. APPLIOATI'ON FVILBD ooT.17,-1902. RENEWBD JUNE 2s, 1908.

Patented May 16, 1911.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

S. A. MAXWELL.

y MAILING MACHINE. APPLIoATIoN FILED 00117, 1902. BNBWBD JUNE 25, wou.

14 SHEETS-SHEET n.'

Patented May 16, 1911.

a f/r c 01,1" 4% S. A, MAXWELL.

MAILING MACHINE.

PPLIUATION FILED 001111902. RENBwBD-JUNB fraz/@unir s. A. MAXWELL. MAILING MAHIN.

,E 6H TnLJD VJS T nAwE MB E du .Du Dun le im 2 BDl N U. Tn D E W E N E R 2. 0 9 l nlv l .mh .o .o D B L I nr. N 0 I T A I L P. P A

Y S. A. MAXWELL.

l MAILING MACHINE. VAPPLIOATION FILED 0011.17, 1902. RBNEWBD JUNE 25, 1208.

14 SHEETS-SHEET 14.

Patented May 16, 1911.

SINGLETN It.. MAXWELL, 'QF ATLNTA., GEORGIA,SSIGBIGR, MESNE ASSGNBEETTS,

MAILING-MACHINE.

Application filed detener 1'?, 19W, serial` No. lelf Renewed June f2.5, i902.

To aZZ whom it may concern; Be it known that I, Smonnfron A. MAX- WELL, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Atlanta., in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail' ing-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, ,such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to malte and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specilication.

This invention relates to mailing machines of that 'description in which the parcel is iiormed and addressed preparatory to mailmg. j

it relates more particularly to that class of machines in which the articie, such as a newspaper, and its jacket are folded and wrapped 'together'.

In vmachines of this class, as heretofore constructed, the jackets have been supplied to the parcel forming mechanism in the form loit' a single sheet of paper foreach wrapper;

Such machines have been found to be of slow operation and their output consequently limited owing to the difficulty in manipulating. the single sheets during the process of iormingthe parcel. Furthermore, where the parcel forming mechanism consists of rotatable grippers it has been found necessary to employ a wiper, or a' similar device, to coperate with-the grip,- pers in applying. the jacket. lilhis has been found objectionable as when the machine .is run at a high rate of speed the wiper is aptto injure the jacket or wrapper; this is especially so when the jacket is applied to a flat article such as a folded newspaper. Also, in these prior machines the address is placed on the single sheets before the latter are applied las wrappers, or it is atlixed after the completion ci' the parcel. Where either one or the other of these methods is used, it is necessary to check or interfere with the passage through the machine of either the sheets or the parcels, which t/ends to also limit the speed.

In the invention in the present instance the method employed consists in using a web of paper and forming in the same the completed parcel before the wrapper is severed from the web. That is, the address is ailixed, the article'folded and wrapped, the

Epecieaton of Letters Patent. lilitineiiijd da@ fitti,

serial Ille. M0," 5th paste applied and the flap secured, finally the 'wrapper severed from the web. By employing this method the diliiculty ot using jackets, or wrappers, .in the form of single sheets is avoided; and where the par cel forming mechanism consists of rotatable grippers the use of a wiper, or similar device, can be dispensed with. Also the ad dress can be applied without interfering in any way with the operation of the niachine, as it is applied to 'the web without checking or interfering in any way with its movement through the machine. Conso quently, the machine employing such method can be operated at a high rate of speed.

The invention in the present instance for carrying out the foregoing method consists, primarily, ci a web carrying device, a parcel forming mechanism tor holding the arti cle and drawing the web from tbe carrying device and wrapping it about the article while the part of the web so 'wrapped ornfis a. part of the main web and operating to utilize the strain oi the web to shape the article and to hold the same while the parcel, is being formed.

It also consists in means for securing the jacket in place about the article and mechanism for severing the completed package from the web.

It also consists in an addressing mecha nism located in the path of travel of the1 "web for afhxing the address to the partei the web forming the jacket before the latter is engaged by the parcel forming mecha nism and wrapped about the article.

lt further consists in thcnovol construction, combination, and arrangement oit parte such as lwill be hereinafter more fully' described, pcintedout in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying draw ings.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, Figure l is a side elevation ot a mail- A ing machine embodying the. invention. Fig.

2 is a iront elevation of the folding and wrapping mechanism. Fig. f2?y is a Vdetail view showing the brake mechanism. Fig. 3 is a plan view ci the machine broken away in parts.A Fig. el is a vertical s ectioiial'view ot' the parcel forming mechanism. i? 5 and 6 are detail sectional views showing the assembling mechanism in diilt'erent i:msitions.

Fig. 7 Vis a plan view of the same. Fig. 8 is a side view of the same. Fig. 9 is an end view of the same. Fig. 10 is a view of the 'end opposite to that shown in Fig. 9. lFig.

5 v11 isa detail view showing the catch mecha- Inism 'of the wing-blade.' Figf12v is a detail view showing a plan of the gripping blades and their operative mechanism. Fig. 13 is 'a sectional view of the same, with the blades` :L0 open.v Figplfi'isaydetail .view showing the blades closed. Figs. Y15 to 18, inclusive, are detail views showing the pasting mechanism. Figs. 19 and 20 are vdetail views ot the article feeding mechanism. Fig. 21 is -an end view, partly in section, of the addressing mechanism. Figs. 22,` 23 and 24 are detail views showing the severing blade.

Fig. 25 is a rear elevation, partly in section, f yof the addrpssing mechanism. Fig. 26 is a detail viewafsthe mechanism for intermit-` tently rotating the grip er-blades shaft.

Fig. 27 isra detail `view s owing the guideway and-reservoirs of the addressing mechanism. 28 is a detail v iew showing the mechanism for operating the web roll. Fig.

.'30 of 'any construction suitable in the premises.'

35 mechanism,

29 is a plan view of the plunger and jaws at the lower part of the reservoir for receivingI the stencil-plates.

The support of the several operative parts the machine and their adjuncts may be of In the present instance, however, it consists 4of a .main frame on which` is principally mounted the paper folding and wrapping and of an auxiliary frame on which is principally placed the addressing mechanism and the mechanism for support- 40 and lower cross-pieces 52, 52 and 53,v 53,',4

. `of the lower cross-pieces of the main frame 5' and supported at their outer ends by the legs 56.

The main driving shaft 57 of the machine extends longitudinally through the main frame with itsends journaled in suitable Q bearmgs in the end pieces 51. It is rotated by the p ulley 58 and the clutch mechanism 59 of t e usual construction. The key 60 of the clutch mechanism is operated by the rock-shaft 61 provided with mechanism hereinafter to be described for partly rotating the same. (Fig. 2.)l An automatic brake is provided for controlling the-rota- .tion oir'v the driving shaft. (Fig. 2) 4On the shaft 57,(is the sheave 63 over which passes the band 64C normally pressed to- .gather at itsends by the spring 65. By permlttmg the spring to ,act to ress the ,ends

- -of the band together, the friction between the band and the sheave will brake the shaft.

To opens the ends of the hand'against the vided. rEhe latter is mounted on thevrockshaft 61 and is interposed between the ends of the band and by turning the same the ends of the band can be-opened and the brake thereby released. When the rockshaft is turned to connect ythe imembers'of the clutch to drive the main shaft the position of the cam is such as to release the brake and also when the rock-shaft is turned to disconnect the members of the clutch `the cam is turned to apply the brake.

On the opposite ends of the main frame are mounted the heads 67. (Figs. 2, 3, 12 and 13.) As these heads with their mountings Aand attachment arealike, a description of one will suiiice for both. Each head is composed of two members bolted together and has an internal chamber 68. It hastwo arms 69 in the outer ends' of which are4 bearings through whi'ch the rods 70 and 71 respectively pass, the rod 70 being longer than the other one.- These rods are secured at their ends in'hrackets on the main frame of the machine. The head is movable longitudinally on these rods, but can be secured in any position tojvhich it might be adjusted by the split bushings 72. The latter have wedge-shaped collars on one end and nuts turned on the other. By tightening the nuts the Wedge-shaped collars can be forced between the rods and the bearings and the heads thereby secured in place.

In the upper part of the chamberv 68 of the head is the pinion 73d having an. elongated hub 74; journaled at its ends in the bearings 75 placed in the upper part of the head.

On 'opposite sides of the pinion are washers 73a to prevent sidewise movement' of they pinion. 'Movable vlongitudinally 1n the hub is the shaft 76, the latter being splined 1n the hub so as to be rotated with the same. (Fig. 13.) The pinion 73 yis driven bythe gear 77 in tpe lower part of the chamber 68 having an e ongat hub 78 journalcd at its ends in the bearin s 79 placed in thelower part of the head. The gear 77 is splined on the shaft SOpassing through 'its hub and journale'd at its ends in suitable bearings on thc frame of the machine.

Mechanism is provided for intermittently rotating the shaft 76. (Figs. 2 and 26.) On

the main driving shaft 57 is a wiper- 81 adapted to engage with the star-wheel 82 secured to the gear 83 engaging with the gear 84 on the shaft 80. As the main driving shaft rotates the wiper revolves and vengages with one of the recesses 85 of the star-wheel and rotates the latter so long as the engagementA continues. On the main driving shaft, back of the wiper, is the locking wheel or cam 86. This locking wheel .rotates in the-same plane as the star-wheel and re isters with one of the concave facesl 87 on tie star-wheel when the wiper is not juxtaposition .f77 meshing with the in engagement and thereby holds the starn Wheel againstrotation. yWhen the Wiper is in engagement with. the ster-Wheel, the cut away portion 88 of the locking Wheel reg ist/ers 'with the star-Wheel and permits the latter torotate. The rotation of the shaft .80 is communicated to the shaft pinion 73. iGripping blades 89 are mounted on the inner endet the shaft 76 the Web through the machine tand in .close to` the assembling mechanism hereinafter to tie-described. rlhese blades serve to engage the assembled article and web to told. and Wrap the same together. These gripping blades 89 are respectively secured to the opposing jaws 90 pivoted on the end of the shaft 7G. (Figs. 3, 4,12, 13 and 14.) The bearings of the blades on the jaws are inclined, as at 92, so that by loosening and tighteningr the screws 93 and moving the blades in or out the can be adjusted to suit the thickness of the yone direction and article. Blades of diderent Widths are providedto accommodate articles of varying' dimensions. The jaws, and consequently the blades, are-normally held open by the spring 94. rlhey are closed against the ac- Wedgeshaped shoe 95 engagin with theI inner ends of the arms .96 carried by the said jaws. llfehenthe shoe is forced under the'inner ends of Wardly and thereby close the jaws and blades.

Set-screws 97 in the outervends of the arms bear against the shoe vand can Abe adjusted to compensate for any Wear. `The shoe is journaled on the end of the sleeve 98 loosely mounted on the shaft 7G. The sleeve is recessed to form the bearing for the said shoe and the latter is .held in place by the annular nut 90 turned into the end ot the s eeve. A collar 100'on the shaft 76 limits the movement of the sleeve on 'the shaft in also limits the movement of the shaft inthe head 67 in one direction. The movement of the' shaft in the opposite .l direction is limited by the jam-nuts 101 on Aso the outer end ofthe shaft. The shaft 7 6 is reciprocated by the cross-head 102 mounted on the rod and the shaft 80 and connected with the sleeve 98. A lever 103 pivoted at 10a to .the cross-piece 53 and having a sliding connection at its upper end With the cross-head and having a roll near its lower 'end engaging With the cam-groove in thexvvheel 105 on the main drivingshaft `moVestlie cross-head back and forthfand thereby reciprocates the shaft 7 6.

When the shaft' 76 is moved toward the intcriorof the machinano action of the grippingblades taires place until the jamnnts 101r on `the outer end of the shaft en gage with the head. Y l/vhen this engagement taires place, the movement of the shaft 7 6 by the gear' adjacent to the path of travelo--v bite Aof the latter the -arins the latter are' moved out-- stopped, but the sleeve 98 .moves on the shaft and forces the; annular-shoe 'under the of the rotation of the gripping blades, and.

.after the operation of the assembling mechvv anisni hereinafter to be described, .the sleeve 98 is moved in the opposite direction. During the first part of the movement of the sleeve 98 in the opposite direction, the gripping blades 89 are held in the closed position (Fig. '14).owing to the friction oi" the set screws 97v upon the annular shoe 95 until said blades havcvvithdrawo from the parcel and the collar of the shaft 7 6 engages `wilh the inner end of thepinion hub Tel contained therein. The continued movement of the sleeve 9S then withdraws the shoe 95' from engagement with the set screws 9T and thereby pcrinitsthe. gripping blades to `openu (Fig. 13) through the action of their springs and the several parts are in a posif 'tion to repeat the operation.

Located adjacent to' the gripping and winding blades Sil to cooperate-with the saine in forming,n the wrapped parcel is the assembling mechanism for associating the' end of the web and the article to be wrapped. Vertically movable in the guides 106 (lfigs. 2 and 4.) secured to the cross-piece 52 of the main frame and in a central position is the knee 107' from which project the standalds 10S. On the lower end of the knee is` adjustably attached the arm 109 carrying the roller 110. The upward position ot' the knee 107 relative tothe gripping blades which hold-.fthe completed parceh can be regulated.byshdjusting the arm 109. lith ,thc roller 110' engages the cani 111 on the" niain driving shaft 57 and by means of which the .knee and the parts carried by it are vertically reciprocatcd. A spring 119 connects the ltneeavith tl1ecross-piece 53 to retract `the knee against the action of the cam.

los

In the ends of the standards 108 are secured the. paralleli( horizontal rods 113. (Figs. 2 to 10 and` 15 to 18, inclusive.) On the'rear ends of these rods are adjustably secured the bloclfsil141 carrying the fixed. plates 11,6 and 117. Beneath the lower plate is thc stitfening bar "115. (Figs. 5 and (l.)

.These plates have between them a space in the path of travel ot the-web through the machine. These plates serve to guide the web to the movable assembling plates hereinafter described. At the rear end of the upper plate 116 is mounted a friction device in the brackets 120 mounted on the blocks It is normally pressed downwardly by the springs 121 connected with the sameV and the brackets. A linger-piece 122 is provided for turning the blade up out of the' 'path of travel of the web.

,- 'On the front ends of the rods 113 Vare vmtmnted the., horizontal assembling plates 123 and 124, respectively, movable back and itorth in the direction or' the travel of lthe web. These plates serve to associate the Web and the article to be wrapped. They are carried by the side-bars 125 slidable ou the rods 113. These plates have an inter vening sJace through which the web travels slightly elow the space between the plates 116 and 117. The planes in which the plates 123 and 124 respectively move are immediately below the respective planes ot the plates 116 and 117, so that the pla-te 123 will pass beneath `the plate 116 and the plate 124 beneath the plate 117. (Fig. 5.) When the two sets of plates are moved together, as shown in Fig. 5, there will be a space between the inner ends of the plates 11T and With this space registers the wingblade 126 projecting into fthe path ot travel of the web for gripping the paper againstl the lower plate 124 so Ythat when the two sets of plates are separated, as shown in Fig. 6, the web will be carried along with the plates 123 and 124.

The wing-blade 126 is covered with an elastic sleeve and is 'carried by the shaft 127 journaled at its ends in the brackets 128 on the plate 123. It is pressed into engagement with the web by the spring 129, which only acts when the plates 123 and 124 are moved away from the fixed plates 116 and 117. When the movable plates have been moved away from the lixed plates, the cani 130, adjustably mounted on the support 131 secured on the standard 108, (Figs. 7 and 8.) engages with the roll 132 on the arm 133 of the shaft 127 and turns the latter so that the pawl 134 can engage with'the shoulder on the hub of the arm and thereby hold the blade out of engagement with the paper. (F 11.) 1When the movable plates reachtlle end of their movement toward the fixed plates the cam 135 on the upper fixed plate engages with the awl and disengages the latter from the huof the arm and permitsv Voir.

the blade to be` turned by the spring 129 into the path of travel of the web to engage with the paper. The spring 129 not only turns the blade but also operates the pawl i134.

and slightly below the axis of the same to support the free end of the web projecting. from the plates 123 and 124 preparatory to its seizure, together with the article, by the said blades.

The movable plates 123 and 124. are reciprocated by the levers 136 fulcrumed at their lower ends on the cross ypiece 53 of themain frame. (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8.) The free ends of these levers are connected by the links 137 with the bosses 125 on the sideba rs 125 carrying the plates. The levers are oscillated by the cam-wheels 13S, with the grooves in which rolls on the said levers register as shown by dotted lines in Figj4.

Means are provided for applying paste to the jacket after the latter has been wrapped around the folded article, (Figs. 2, 4 and- 15 to 18, inclusive.) On the upper ends of the standards 139 secured on the cross-piece. 52 are adjustably mounted the rames'140 carrying the paste reservoir 141. In the:

latter is journaled the doctor-roll 142 driven by the belt 143 passing over the pulley 144 on the shaft of the doctor-roll and over the pulley 145 on the main driving shaft 57..

(Fig. 2.) A scraper 146 operates to move the surplus Ypaste from the doctor-roll. A I

transfer-roll 147 is provided for carrying the paste from' the doctor-roll to the `paper jacket and applying it to the latter. The transfer-roll has its shaft journaled in t-he free ends of the levers 148 and the latter are pivoted at 149 to the free ends of the members 150 of the bell-cranks 151, which are fulcrumed on the brackets 152 carried by the m1115153 adjustable on the Standards 139. The levers project lbeyond their pivotal points 149 and are connected by the links 154 with the ends of the springs 155 attached to the frames 14() of the paste reser- These springs serve to oscillatc the levers 148 on their pivots 149 to depress the .free ends of theufsame relatively to the members "1150 of the bell-cranks. This depressionis limited by the lips 156 of the members i150 engaging with the-pins 157 on the levers. The springs also serve to raise the leviers asa wholeto engage .the transfer-Troll 178 on the shaft 179 carried by the arms 180 on the forward ends of the brackets are the twisted bands 181. The tension of--these bands is regulated by adjusting the journal boxes 176 by the set screws 176% Gn the loose pulley 178 are the corrugated rubber collars 181g. The shaft 175 is driven by the belt 148 assing over the pulley 183 on the said shaiit) and over the pulley 145 on the main driving 'shaft 57. This belt also rotates the doctor-roll of the pasting mechanism. By rotating the shaft 175 motion is given to the twisted bands and any articles placed thereon will be fed onto theupper of the plates 128 and 124i of the assembling mechanism. In the uprights 185 on the in ner ends of the brackets 174 is journaled the shaft 186 carrying the lingers 187 having their free ends turned upwardly. The shaft is rocked by the arm 188 which is oscillated by the strap 189 connecting it with the lever 190 pivoted on the shaft 61 and vibrated by the cam wheel 191 on the main driving shaft 57. The lever is pressed into engagement with the-cam wheel by the spring 202. These fingers form stops against which the articles areI moved by the twisted bands 181. They are moved at intervals, as the shaft 186 is rocked, to release the articles. To one side of the twisted bands is the longitudinal guide 192 carried by the upright 193 adjustable on one of the brackets;174. The twist in the bands is such as to move the articles against the longitudinal guide and the latter gives them their proper direction to the assembling mechanism. A spring finger 191 is provided for pressing the article against the twisted bands. Thel engaging 'end of thc spring finger is serrated and it serves to prevent the article from rebounding when the latter strikes the stop lingers 187. It is carried by the arm 195 secured on the longitudinal guide 192. A roll 196 is iournaledv on the shaft 196a secured in the free ends of the arms 197 journaled on the rock shaft 186 and presses the article onto the rubber collars 181l as they are released by the lingers 187. The roll 196 is raised intermittcntly by the spring 197a on the arm 197 engaging with the arm 188. This upward movement of the roll occurs after the article has been fed to the assembling mechanism.

The articles to be folded and'wrapped are fed upon theplate 123 against the stops 203 wlien the assembling mechanism is in an advanced and raised position. On the said vplate is a pawl 204 adapted to engage with the article and hold it in place until it is seized, together with the web, by the gripping blades. (Figs. 5, 6, 19 and 20.) This pawl is carried by the shaft 205 journaled in the brackets 206 secured on thc assembling late 123. The pawl is normally depressed y the spring 207 on the shaft 2055` and the tension of the spring is regulated by the mechanism reaches the forward end of its, stroke the pawl is released and engages with Y the article to-hold it in place. The lever 211 is carried by the shaft 212 journaled ithe upper end of the standard 213. (Figs. Land 2.) The shaft is rocked by the lever 214 on said shaft and engaging at its free end with the vcam 215 on the main driving shaft 57. The sprin 215a forces-the lever into engagement wit the cam.

Mechanism is provided for feeding the web from the roll mounted on the machine to the assembling mechanism. (Figs. 1 and. 28.) 0n the rear. end of the auxiliary frame are secured the side plates 216, project-ing from the rear of which are the brackets 217. ln the outer ends of the latter is jouruulcd the shult 218 for carrying the roll of pu per from which the web is drawn. The web loaves the roll and is looped under the roll 219 jonrnaled in the outer ends of the arms 220 secured at theiry inner ends on the shaft journulcd in bearings on thc legs 56. The web then passes over the roll 222 journaled to the under side of the brackets 217 and leads between the fixed plates 116 and 11T of the assembling mechanism where -it is engaged by the tension blade '118. The

web intermittently drawn oli' the .roll by the wing-blade 120 on the plate 123, when the latter is moved forward, and also by the gripping blades 89 when the latter are rotated. As these intermittent movements of the web are quickly made, ifthe web should be drawn directly roll,- the latter would overrun. This is from the paper' avoided by the mechanism operated by the shaft 221. On un end of the latter is an arm 223 pivoted at its outer end to the lower end of the rod 224 connected at its upper end with the pivoted arm 225. A tension spring 226 normally tends to raise the rod 224. The-tension of this spring can be regulated by adjusting the collar 227 on the rod. 0n the pivoted end of the arm 225 is the double cam 228 interposed between the ends of the friction band 229 passing around the shenve 230 on the shaft 218 carrying the paper roll. A spring 231 is on the bo1t232 passing through the ends of the band to press them together and to press the band into engagement with the sheave. Thel tension of this spring can be regulated by the nut. on the end of the bolt. By rotating the cam 228 the ends of the band can be opened uguinstthe action of thc spring 231 and the friction between the band and the sheave rel leased. iVhen the web is drawn forward lthc loop around the roll 219-is shortened and 

